From Labels to Leverage: Supplier Strategies for Success in Energy
In-person, LIVE Instructor-Led Training Course
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (MST)
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt (1 Market Pl, San Diego, CA 92101)
Invited Speakers: Pamela Fann (Integrated Solutions), Scott Alan Davis (SEEL), Ashley Santor (Doer/Maker), and MJ Jones, Yasmin Abraham (Kambo)
Earnable CEUs: 0.4
Earnable PDHs: 4
Fee:
Diverse Suppliers - Free
Non-Diverse Suppliers - $150
For more information, or to register as a diverse supplier, email elearning@aesp.org.
Course Description:
In today’s energy industry, supplier inclusion is evolving. Certification remains valuable, but it’s no longer the only key to opportunity. Utilities, implementers, and agencies are seeking suppliers who can demonstrate measurable impact — from innovative solutions and workforce contributions to community benefits and business alignment.
Now in its fourth year, this pre-conference training brings together diverse suppliers and industry partners for a candid conversation about the why, what, and how of supplier inclusion in 2026. Participants will hear directly from utilities and implementers about where opportunities still exist, how expectations are shifting, and what makes a supplier stand out in today’s climate. Through expert insights, peer discussion, and hands-on exercises, attendees will learn to refine their messaging, strengthen partnerships, and turn their stories into strategies that win work.
Whether you’re a supplier seeking growth or a partner looking to expand your network, this session will help you move from labels to leverage.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify current trends and shifts in supplier inclusion and explain how they influence opportunities in the clean energy industry.
- Apply outcomes-focused, partner-centered language to strengthen proposals and communications.
- Evaluate real-world examples of supplier success to identify strategies that align with current procurement priorities.
- Develop or refine a positioning statement (“pivot statement”) that clearly demonstrates measurable impact and value to potential partners.
Who Should Attend?
This pre-conference training is designed for underrepresented suppliers – including, but not limited to, women-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and disability-owned businesses – who want to sharpen how they present their value and building stronger connections in the clean energy industry.
Whether you are new to the sector or already pursuing partnerships with utilities and implementers, this session will help you:
- Showcase both your skills and impact
- Learn the language that procurement teams respond to
- Understand what makes proposals stand out
- Turn your stories and experiences into strategies that win work
Recommended for:
- Business owners and leaders from diverse backgrounds interested in clean energy opportunities.
- Emerging suppliers seeking a better understanding of the energy industry and its procurement processes.
- Established contractors looking to expand into utility and energy sector partnerships.
- Professionals from businesses offering products or services that could support the energy transition.
- Anyone interested in networking with peers and industry leaders in the clean energy space.
Key Takeaway
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where supplier inclusion stands today — what utilities and implementers are seeking, what language resonates, and how to communicate impact in ways that open doors to lasting partnerships.
*Attendees must earn an 70% or higher on the final course test in order to earn 0.4 CEUs.
Cancellations received no later than 14 days prior to the training date will receive a refund, minus a 5% processing fee if paid with a credit card. Cancellations received after the cutoff date and no-shows will not receive a refund (cash or points). AESP reserves the right to cancel a training course at any time with reasonable notice given to all participants.
AESP is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). AESP complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, AESP is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. AESP instructors disclose in advance that they have no interest in any product, service, or material discussed during the course. This information is stated orally and in the training course handbook.
